The city of Joburg metro is facing budget limitations for the 2023/24 financial year and backlogs amounting to billions including funds needed to maintain infrastructure. According to the deputy director of communications of the city, Nthatisi Modingoane, the need to fulfil socioeconomic, health, and housing demands caused the inadequate investment in the management and upkeep of the infrastructure.

One of the heavily affected areas is the water infrastructure. The 2023/24 water business plan reveals an infrastructure backlog of R24 billion, which indicates the extent of the crisis. The city has been unable to meet the required 1.5% renewal rate of assets due to funding limitations. It is alleged that the situation has been exacerbated by mismanagement and the diversion of funds to areas not related to infrastructure renewal.

The road infrastructure is also not spared, approximately R154billion is needed to maintain the different classes of roads. ‘’The cost for bridges is estimated at R16bn while sidewalk infrastructure is R2bn. Catchments, dams and stormwater infrastructure have a backlog of R61.2bn,’’ said Modingoane.

Speaking of road infrastructure, the M1 highway underground tunnels near Smit Street and the double-decker section was on fire on Wednesday morning throughout the day.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said, ‘’it is suspected that the fire may have resulted from theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure, an incident which happened last night (Tuesday night). The fire was put out but started again in the early hours on Wednesday morning.”

The impact on the road infrastructure is still to be assessed, however, considering the budget constraints the city is facing, it brings into question what will be done and how long it will take to maintain the M1 highway should there be a need.